What if I am applying to a hospital or care home, not a school?

Write about the setting you are applying for, and use any catering experience that shows the same skills, such as speed, hygiene and helping people.

How long should it be?

One page with three or four short paragraphs is plenty.

Should I mention term-time working?

Yes, if you can only work during term time or the job is term-time only. Being clear about hours avoids confusion later.

Can Ceev write a cover letter for me?

Ceev's paid packages include cover letters written from your CV and the job advert, and you can edit them before you send them.

Catering assistant cover letter example

A strong catering assistant cover letter shows speed and care, with one example of handling food safety or allergens well. It should name the type of setting you have worked in, mention your food hygiene certificate and DBS check where the job needs them, and give your hours.

Margaret Hollis

margaret@example.com · 07700 900143 · Nottingham

3 March 2026

Lindenfield High School

Dear Mr Whitmore,

I am writing to apply for the Catering Assistant vacancy at Lindenfield High School, advertised on the council's jobs website. For the past three years I have served meals and kept the kitchen clean in a large school canteen, and I enjoy helping people get a good meal quickly and safely.

Lunchtime is short and the queue is long, so I have learned to work fast without cutting corners. I check the allergen information for every dish each morning and help pupils with special diets to choose safe options. Last term a new pupil with a nut allergy was anxious about eating at school. I showed her the allergen list and pointed out the safe dishes, and she ate in the canteen with her friends from then on.

I hold a Level 2 food hygiene certificate and an enhanced DBS check, I am comfortable with the cashless payment system and I can work term-time hours. Lindenfield's large dining hall and its hot and cold options would suit how I work, and I would be proud to help feed so many pupils each day.

Thank you for considering my application. I would be happy to visit the kitchen and meet the catering team.

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Hollis

Example · fictional candidate · Bloom design

Tips for a catering assistant cover letter

State the kind of setting you have worked in and how many people you served
Use one example that shows care with food safety or allergies
Mention your food hygiene certificate and DBS check where the job needs them
Give your availability, including term-time only hours if you need them
Show that you understand the pace of the job, such as short lunch services

Pair it with a CV: see our catering assistant CV example.

Catering assistant cover letter example

Margaret Hollis

Tips for a catering assistant cover letter

Questions about catering assistant cover letters